Valerie Taylor knows how to survive a shark attack after 50 years swimming with the beasts of the ocean. In this interview Valerie Taylor, who features in the documentary film Blue, talks about her experience working with sharks and her close encounters. 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She, together with her late husband Ron, was an underwater videographer for Steven Spielberg's "Jaws". * Some exclusions apply. See full bio » The Real Jaws: The Valerie Taylor Story is a Wildbear Entertainment production directed by Sally Aitken and by produced Bettina Dalton. Pink flannel flowers bring a ray of hope and renewal to bushfire-ravaged country. They made their living in the 1960s by making wet suits and selling underwater cameras, plus doing artwork for magazines. With archive… Sharks play a vital role in maintaining the biodiversity of our oceans. #ValerieTaylorMovie #WatchThisSpace #Documentary #ValerieTaylor #Scuba #Diver #Oceans #Sharks #Jaws, A post shared by ValerieTaylorMovie (@valerietaylormovie) on Oct 3, 2018 at 5:17pm PDT. Valerie Taylor photographing a large bull shark that has come in for bait at Shark Reef, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji. Looking like something straight out of Alien, this egg casing is a nursery for hundreds of precious seashells. They’re ready for their close up Mr DeMille. In 1969, the Taylors formed their own company, Ron Taylor Film Productions Pty Ltd. U.S. In 1967, the couple partnered with the Belgian Scientific Expedition and spent six months filming its underwater habitats. Valerie and her late husband, Ron Taylor, were among the first to explore the Great Barrier Reef on film. Prepare for the extraordinary life story of pioneering scuba diver, Valerie Taylor, a fearless marine maverick whose passion for sharks knows no bounds – even where there should be. Over the course of her career as a conservationist, her efforts have succeeded in protecting marine life and underwater environments. Valerie Taylor on the anchor on the wreck of the Sirius, off Norfolk Island, Australia. Here's Valerie Taylor describing the horrid experience in the documentary “Spotlight on Location: The Making of Jaws”: “Hollywood sent us this little man, and he couldn't dive. The latest slate includes The Beach, a television series which follows award-winning director Warwick Thornton as he turns… My own experience. A Reset font size. A Decrease font size. After tests on land, Valerie stuffed tuna fillets into the suit to attract sharks and dived into the water. Subscribe & Save Over $19 Valerie Taylor was born on November 9, 1935 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia as Valerie May Heighes. "[Universal Studios] took Ron and I to the US and we did every talk show in America telling people it was a fictitious story, that sharks don't behave that way and on and on," said Taylor. For as long as she can remember, she's looked up to Taylor. Australian Geographic acknowledges the First Nations people of Australia as traditional custodians, and pay our respects to Elders past and present, and their stories and journeys that have lead us to where we are today. "He was a good bloke, and Ron and I could hardly believe he drowned, because he could hold his breath for a … They became champion spearfishers, but switched from killing sharks to filming them after becoming fascinated with marine life. Stewart hopes she can inspire others in the way that Taylor inspired her. Indonesia is one of the world's largest exporters of shark and ray products including fins, meat, liver oil and skin. It's the hardest day of the trip. In the early 1970s, Ron and Valerie produced the television series "Taylor's Inner Space." A NEW FEATURE film documentary about the life of Australian shark lady Valerie Taylor is currently being developed. “I nearly went berserk when I came out of the water,” she says, now 78, from her home in Sydney. The couple played two of the main characters in the … PLAYING WITH SHARKS is a powerful and visually sumptuous 90-minute feature documentary about Valerie Taylor, living legend and icon in … Growing up on a yacht on the Gold Coast, Stewart started to get into underwater photography, which turned into a passion to save the oceans. In 1979, Ron Taylor had a suit of mail made, which Valerie successfully tested against sharks in the wild. In 1974, Hollywood came calling and the Taylors filmed live shark sequences for Steven Spielberg's iconic thriller Jaws -- a decision that would come back to haunt them. "Sadly, right now it'll never be how it should be. This series of 13 films, featured the Taylors' encounters with the marine life of the western Pacific. What are found 3km below the surface of the water, have evolved into meat eaters and can only be found in the Great Australian Bight? Valerie Taylor on the anchor on the wreck of the Sirius, off Norfolk Island, Australia. TAYLOR, Valerie Australia (1936- ) Pioneer underwater explorer; filmmaker and photographer; shark expert; first to film the white shark; ocean conservationist; helped get the white shark and the grey nurse shark protected; first to dive He met Valerie while both were members of the St George Spearfishing Club in Sydney. The Taylors' introduced Australia and the world to the wonders of marine life and particularly sharks. Valerie Taylor and her husband Ron were among the first to film Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Ron Taylor filming blue sharks off the coast of Albany, Western Australia. A Increase font size. With the 40th anniversary of the release of "Jaws", "The Telegraph" has a very nice article on Valerie Taylor. She’s a legend in the exploration, shark, diving, and conservation fields. New research discovers surprising detail about the thylacine’s evolution. A NEW FEATURE film documentary about the life of Australian shark lady Valerie Taylor is currently being developed. They married in December 1963. Rare pink flannel flowers bloom after bushfires, Birds that play with others have the biggest brains – and the same may go for humans, Doggone it: Tassie tiger skull most similar to wolves, not other Aussie marsupials, A documentary about legendary shark lady Valerie Taylor is underway, A NEW FEATURE film documentary about the life of. With access to decades of personal film archives, this feature will reveal how Valerie defied gender expectations in her work, and dedicated her life to shark conservation. In the 1960s, Australians Valerie and Ron Taylor were competitive spear fishers. Valerie Taylor with blue sharks off San Diego, California. The couple played two of the main characters in the American feature documentary "Blue Water, White Death.". Home News A documentary about legendary shark lady Valerie Taylor is underway. In 1979 with a shark documentary in mind, Taylor paid US$2,000 to have this suit custom made in the USA. Sea turtles, dolphins, humpback whales, sea snakes and sharks glide through this underwater paradise -- one of the world's most complex and fragile natural ecosystems. is a Wildbear Entertainment production directed by Sally Aitken and by produced Bettina Dalton. But despite her life's work, sharks remain at risk from human activities that are threatening a creature that has stalked the oceans for more than 400 million years. Stewart credits Taylor for being her biggest inspiration in marine conservation. Long before anyone else, Valerie dared to get close. Do you consider yourself a risk-taker or a thrill-seeker, because they’re not the same.»VALERIE: I like adventure very much. Ron Taylor filming a great white shark. DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION: ... Bettina Dalton) — Valerie Taylor is a shark fanatic and an Australian icon – a marine maverick who forged … Consumption of shark fin delicacies has declined by as much as, Stewart knows that a program in one small village isn't going to save the world's sharks, but says "My whole intention with this project was to prove and spark a mentality amongst conservationists that we should not be condemning these fishermen in less developed nations, we should be working with them.". Taylor, now 83 years old, still dives frequently, writes letters and speaks on protecting coastal and international waters as sanctuaries and keeping plastics out of the ocean. She was previously married to Ron Taylor. Valerie swimming with a great hammerhead shark, A post shared by Madison Stewart (@sharkgirlmadison). PLAYING WITH SHARKS is a powerful and visually sumptuous 90-minute feature documentary about Valerie Taylor, living legend and icon in the underwater world. WATCH THE FILM HERE Since pioneering explorer Valerie Taylor first made a documentary about the Coral Sea more than half a century ago, this last sea treasure faces perhaps its greatest test. Not everywhere but in some places," she said. Saving the world means witnessing what's destroying it. According to Screen Australia, who helped fund the project, the feature will reveal how Valerie defied gender expectations in her work, and dedicated her life to shark conservation. The two met on the filming of "Blue," an environment protection documentary released in 2017. Stewart, or "Pip" as her friends call her, wore a yellow ribbon in her hair as a child because Valerie Taylor did. But the most important I think. "I like the way she engages the public in what she does, and I like the way she's just a totally fearless, badass woman in an era where that was rare.". We've really made a bad impact, but it can be rectified. Val and Ron turned away from spearfishing when they realised they had stripped an entire reef of fish. The Taylors found the wreck, which was considered lost, in 1963 … ‘Bird brained’ takes on a whole new meaning thanks to the latest research. William Shatner narrated this filmed documentary series focusing on the animals and wildlife that make up the undersea kingdom. Taylor was instrumental in getting sea lions protected in New South Wales in 1971. These great books will have you flipping pages, planning trips and trying new things in no time. Valerie Taylor is a living legend and icon in the underwater world. Valerie Taylor knows how to survive a shark attack after 50 years swimming with the beasts of the ocean. PLUS your choice of gift. Tiger sharks are inclined to investigate anything on the ocean surface by biting, but are usually well behaved around divers. "I'm speaking from something I know and that I've seen. A glamorous shark hunter in the 1950s, she was a champion slayer with ruthless aim before a personal epiphany transformed her into a passionate marine conservationist – notably for the ocean’s scariest creature, the shark. Their expertise was used for films such as Jaws, Orca, and The Blue Lagoon. Valerie Taylor has been bitten twice and nipped once by sharks in 40 years of diving with them -- without permanent injury. Playing with Sharks, a documentary about iconic Australian diver and filmmaker Valerie Taylor, will make its world premiere in the World Documentary Competition. Today, others, like Australian Madison Stewart -- or "Shark Girl Madison" as she's known on. A glamorous shark hunter in the 1950s, Valerie was a champion slayer with ruthless aim before a personal epiphany transformed her into a passionate marine conservationist – notably for the ocean’s scariest creature, the shark. Although starting their aquatic careers as competitive spearfishers, they downed their spears in favour of cameras and began making marine documentaries. According to the film’s official synopsis, the feature documentary from Wildbear Entertainment about Australian icon Valerie Taylor – a diver and filmmaker who captured the underwater world on camera for films like Jaws. Updated 1555 GMT (2355 HKT) December 4, 2019. When the suit arrived in Australia, it was too small for Ron and his wife Valerie decided to wear it. "I've seen the return of sharks over 12 years bring a dead reef back to life.". Now 26, Stewart has amassed thousands of followers on social media by posting daring photos showing her swimming with huge sharks. The Taylors found the wreck, which was considered lost, in 1963 by swimming outside the reef. Valerie Taylor ran an award-winning cinematography company with her late husband Ron The novel Jaws by Peter Benchley, which Spielberg adapted, was partly inspired by … "I'm not speaking of something I've read or seen on the computer," she added. A post shared by Madison Stewart (@sharkgirlmadison) on Jan 22, 2019 at 12:37am PST. The WildBear Entertainment production is one of only 10 films from around the world to be chosen for this prestigious and highly competitive section. 09 04 2019 - Media release The Real Jaws: The Valerie Taylor Story Screen Australia has announced production funding for seven new documentary projects through the Documentary Producer and Commissioned programs. #projecthiu proud of my team today. The Real Jaws: The Valerie Taylor Story: A feature documentary from Wildbear Entertainment about Australian icon Valerie Taylor – a diver and filmmaker who captured the underwater world on camera for films like Jaws. "My biggest hope is that I can inspire other people that are younger than me that might grow up and see how it is for one person to make a difference," she said. Valerie Taylor was put in the inaugural diving hall of fame for a reason. The Real Jaws: The Valerie Taylor Story is a Wildbear Entertainment production directed by Sally Aitken and by produced Bettina Dalton. Horrified by how Jaws hardened public attitudes towards sharks the couple changed their lives forever and turned their attention to conservationism. Valerie Taylor has been diving with sharks since the 1960s, and her work as a conservationist is still inspiring others today. Using that social influence, Stewart started a project in East Lombok, Indonesia, to encourage a local fishing community to go from catching sharks to preserving them as a tourist attraction. Valerie, I noticed something interesting as I’ve questioned you: you talk about adventure and Ron filming Great Hammerheads, 1972 Valerie and Ron Taylor Bahamas, 2006 you talk about risk. (CNN)Below the shallow waters of the northeast coast of Australia is the world's largest reef. Ron and Valerie Taylor In 1969, the Taylors formed their own company, Ron Taylor Film Productions Pty Ltd. "She proved that you don't have to be a scientist to make a difference," Stewart said. We cannot get enough of these great reads! By subscribing you become an AG Society member, helping us to raise funds for conservation and adventure projects. Valerie and I got a lot of flack because we were involved in a film which stopped a lot of people learning to dive." Covering more than 1,600 miles (2,575 km), the Great Barrier Reef shelters over 1,000 different fish species. Get great photography, travel tips and exclusive deals delivered to your inbox. In 2012, South Australia renamed the Neptune Islands Group Marine Park after the Taylors because of their work protecting the oceans. Ron began diving in 1952 and became interested in spearfishing and underwater photography. During the month of January spend $100 or more in one transaction and save 10%! Photograph: Ron and Valerie Taylor Eventually, Valerie emerges at the surface, euphoric. They were both national spearfishing champions. The article's headline calls her "The most glamorous shark hunter in the world". In January 2016, we journeyed hundreds of kilometers from Cairns out into to the Coral Sea with Mike Ball Dive Expeditions, visiting Holmes… With William Shatner, Ron Taylor, Valerie Taylor. "Sharks are a part of the web of life," said Valerie Taylor. She is known for her work on Jaws (1975), The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996) and The Blue Lagoon (1980). "It was ignorance and lack of respect for wildlife.". And I know that gets across.". As top predators, they help to preserve marine ecosystems by regulating species populations, providing food for scavengers, and balancing the distribution and diversity of other predators. A post shared by Madison Stewart (@sharkgirlmadison) on Nov 20, 2018 at 11:29pm PST. Her partnership with husband Ron Taylor produced a prolific body of work and achievement that only ended with Ron’s passing in 2012. Since then Valerie has continued to dive and passionately advocate for the oceans and ocean wild life. This article has been updated to correct the description of the location of the Great Barrier Reef. Ron Taylor and Valerie Taylor in 1965. The WildBear Entertainment production is directed by Sally Aitken and produced through Bettina Dalton. They moved into underwater photography and film making, before working to educate people about threats to the oceans and marine life. 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